THE GREAT ADVENTURE - Steven Curtis Chapman
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV).
What does God want you to do today? God has brought this question before me more times than I can count in my life. From late 2019 to now, I’ve asked God what He wants me to do quite often. As I’ve grown in my own walk of faith, God has taken the reins and led me through countless challenges. But through each hardship comes forth a blessing of something I learned that has brought me to where I am today.
God has asked me to face my fears and insecurities head on. That means I had to walk through them and not around or hide from them. When I walked through my fears, disorientation took place, and I had to walk through different stages of forgiveness. That forgiveness ultimately has led me living with freedom in Christ I haven’t experienced in a long time. I don’t forget the past as it’s a part of me, but it does not define the person God says I am today.
Through this journey, I’ve been tested many times. I’ve gained wisdom from God that has helped me to make decisions that I believe are His will for me and not mine. God has used every weakness of mine to empower me with His strength to forge ahead on the next part of this great adventure. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) states; “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
The fact that God displays His power through weakness should give us courage and hope. The hope is for the promise of salvation which should be our primary focus each day. As we recognize our limitations, we depend more and more on God to reveal His will and guide us on our individual walks of faith. The old saying of “trust the hand that guides you” really applies here if the hand you trust is God’s.
God’s love for me has remained constant in my life, but it was myself who withdrew and tried to hide behind my faith. Through His love, I’ve learned to trust His love for me, gain the faith and hope needed to trust Him for the future. 1 John 4:16 (NIV) states this perfectly; “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.” So simply put, but so hard for us to faithfully trust sometimes. God’s agape love is everlasting, and we can rely on that alone now and when we see Him face-to-face in heaven. We can’t hide or run from God. He knows every hair on our head and every thought we have.
Throughout my life, God has remained faithful and loving even through my sin and shame. I know I’ve been truly forgiven and set free to faithfully serve Him. Recently, God has placed a new calling on my life that I believe He’s said it is time to share with you. God is using my weakness to empower me with His strength to step out and take this next leap of faith. Philippians 4:13 (NIV) states: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
For the past several months I’ve been in training to receive certification to be a faith based Christian coach. In June 2023, God said it was time to leave the accounting world that I’ve worked in for fifty years. Yes, I was terrified, but when I felt such a forceful tug placed on my heart, I knew and trusted it was from God. If I hadn’t said yes that tug would have only become greater. I wouldn’t be here now able to share this with you.
God has placed some of the most amazing faith-based people along this path. One of whom is my coach, Francine Ivey, CEO of her company “Consumed Coaching, LLC.” She has been there encouraging me every step of the way while holding me accountable. There is an awesome community of coaches I’ve been a part of and continue now to be a part of where we cheer each other on. They offer not only support, but the positive reinforcement I feel is incredible. Each week I am continuously lifted to keep moving forward as God leads.
Today, I’d like to share I truly believe God has called me to be what I call a freedom coach. It is unapologetically faith based. God has called me to help and encourage others to face whatever fears one may have they may be holding on to from keeping them moving forward. Facing our fears means we must grasp and accept what those are. I believe one must walk through the messy disorientation of forgiveness to finally experience in what it feels to live in freedom in Christ. We never forget our past, but we learn from God to walk through the fire and let Him use those weaknesses to empower us with His strength to learn from, so we can help and encourage others.
This is what it is all about for me. I do this for no other reason than faithfully serving God as He reveals His will to me. It’s not for financial gain, but to faithfully serve Him to encourage and equip others to further His kingdom. So today, I dedicate this new great adventure to our sovereign and almighty Lord. I pray for His divine intervention for each step. Everything I am, everything I have, and everything I do and will do is for His honor, glory, and praise. I hope you will join in praying with me as I set forth on this new adventure with God leading the way.
Our brokenness is the canvas, for God’s masterpiece of strength.
In trials, we find faith, and embrace lessons at length.
When the balance of power flows through our heart, it opens,
When we surrender, new hope for our soul’s potential, awakens.
When we weather storms, our resilience, never breaks.
When life shakes, our faith grows strong, with every step.
With each trial, we find purpose, a path we must trek,
As we face our fears, a fearless future of freedom, we bequeath.
In the flames of testing, our spirit's truth shall breathe,
In the fire we're forged, with strength in every heartbeat.
With grit in our veins, we won't stray from heaven's beat,
Lasso the joy and grace of life, twirl around its vibrant heat.
Ride the winds of life, find comfort in heaven's seat,
With reins in hand, we'll ride towards victories sweet.
In love's dance, our souls, find a harmony so soothing,
Saddle up, get ready, let's go, let's ride the great adventure.
So, what may God be calling you to do today? Share in the comments if you’d like. I love hearing from you. If you feel there’s a fear or something that you may be holding on to that is keeping you from moving forward, please reach out to me separately by emailing me at coachannewooten@annewooten.com or you can direct message me on Instagram @awooten77 or Facebook. I would love to see if I’m able to help you.
I’m in the beginning stages of getting all this set up, and I’m learning so many things as I go. This is all new and risky, but everything in life is a risk, but I do believe God is calling me to encourage and help others. Three words I leave with you today, “Stay kingdom focused!” So, saddle up, get ready, let's go, let's ride the great adventure!
Photo credit - CANVA app
Congratulations Anne. I wish you all the best as you begin this new journey. It sounds like a perfect situation for you. Blessings to you.
Anne I agree with Cathey you are going to be amazing. I have faith and he’s always lead you on the right path. He has made it clear to you that this is what you are meant to do. My blessings to you my dear friend. I’m sure I will see you.